Holidays with a Nerd [REWRITING]

Chapter Twenty-Two - Waltzing and Bossy Managers

"I swear you guys are getting cuter every second," Valerie says playing along, I smile gratefully at her and she uses her pink straw to twirl her vanilla milkshake.

"You're hiding something," Luke says suddenly. My head snaps in his direction and I look anywhere else apart from his eyes.

"Look into my eyes," Luke demands. I try, but I can't. "You guys aren't together anymore are you?" Luke asks. I nod sighing.

"We broke up last week," I explain Luke sighs and sips on his chocolate milkshake. I check around the diner. Not much is going on there isn't much people here. So I sit beside Luke, who wraps an arm around me.

"Why didn't you tell me?" He questions I play with the loose thread at the edge of my apron.

"I don't know...I thought you would go and beat him up something," I shrug and he chuckles lowly and I feel his body vibrate against mine.

"I'm not sixteen anymore Tori, you can take care of yourself. I'm not always going to be there," Luke explains and I pull away from him and frown.

I look down averting my eyes away from him, Valerie coughs awkwardly and I get up, as I do Josh comes through the door. His brown eyes lock with mine for a second. He give me a light tipped smile and disappears into the kitchen I guess.

"You're right," I say to Luke. I need to become stronger. Bolder. Heck, I'm going to New York I need to learn to take care of myself.

"I-I hope I didn't insult you I just think that since I'm going to Wisconsin to be with Kate, we aren't going to be there for each other as we were before," Luke explains and I remember that he got into a university there and will be studying art I'm going to miss him dearly. I smile at my blond best friend and go into the direction of the kitchen.

As I come in Natalie narrows her blue eyes at me, "It took you a long time to serve two milkshakes." I bite my bottom lip.

"Sorry, I was chatting," I say honestly. Ever since Natalie became in charge or 'Nat the boss' as she calls herself she's been more strict. Not that I blame her. She says it going to be hard to be the same kind of manger Tina was. But we both know no could replace Tina and the kind of boss she was.

"Cut her some slack, Nat," Josh chimes in I shoot him a glare. I can handle this by myself, Fletcher.

"Sorry, who's the manger here?" Natalie purses her red lips. Josh and I keep silent.

"Thought so," She smirks, turning on her heel. I look up at Josh and roll my eyes.

"I could've handled that," I say folding my arms.

"Sorry for helping," He sarcastically says, I smile from our moment yesterday.

"When's your shift done?" He asks, I look at my watch.

"I'm actually done," I say surprised. Time goes quick. I turn to leave but Josh pulls me back.

"I heard you got accepted," He tells me. Stalker alert.

"Should I be scared or happy?" I smirk playfully.

"Both, you know how I said my brother lives in New York?" I nod, "Well he said you can room with him, since he has a spare room," Josh continues.

"Thanks, but no," I reject his offer. That's weird I haven't met his brother. I didn't even know he had a brother —until he told me of course.

"Why?" He cocks an eyebrow.

"It's weird and I can't just invade your bros privacy," I say taking off my apron and hanging it on the hook.

"Think of it as...an early birthday present," Josh says and I give him a look.

"My birthdays not till June we are in January," I purse my lips.

"Just accept it," he begs and I look at my converse.

"No, why do you want me to live with your brother so much?" I ask.

"Because, I'm scared for you, I'm not going to be there. Blondie is not going to be there. Nobody's going to be there for you," he explains and I grow angry.

"I can take care of myself okay?" I say sharply, he sighs and looks away and I close my eyes, and breathe out.

"Fine," I give in, "I'll live with your brother if it means that much to you."

He smiles, "Thank you. Really." I smile back.

"Hey lovebirds get back to work," Natalie shouts and Josh and I laugh lightly before Josh and I go our separate ways.

* * * * *

And scene! Hi, how are yas? So Tori's going to live with Daniel, because Josh is scared for her. That's sweet. Hope you liked this, I — as always — enjoyed writing this. This was long, for me anyway. I don't know what to say. Ooo and I might get an email account and an ask for this account. Cause why not. And...yeah but yeah ok I'll go now.

QOTC: Favourite Jori moment?
My answer: em, that's hard when Josh gave her the promise ring then threw her makeup out the window, for me I think that was original.

COMMENT, VOTE, FOLLOW AND FAN.

STAY GORGEOUS PLEASE.

-Aspen